Serving the blind and low vision population of South Central Kentucky
A chapter of the Kentucky Council of the Blind

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CONSTITUTION OF THE
SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY COUNCIL OF THE BLIND

For purposes of this document, the term "blind" shall refer to all persons who are legally blind or visually impaired.

ARTICLE I - NAME:

The name of this organization is the South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE:

The purpose of this organization shall be:

A. To work for a better public understanding of the multiplicity of capabilities and aspirations of people who are blind;

B. To work for better quality education for all blind Kentuckians;

C. To support broad employment opportunities for persons who are blind, and to actively address issues related to the unemployment and underemployment of blind people;

D. To represent persons who are blind on legislative, administrative and regulatory issues affecting their interests;

E. To act as an advocate for the rights of blind people;

F. To provide programs and activities designed to increase socialization between persons who are blind, their sighted peers and family members;

G. To work for the expansion and improvement of rehabilitation programs for people who are blind;

H. To distribute information on resources and opportunities available to blind people;

ARTICLE III - AFFILIATION:

The South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind is a chapter of the Kentucky Council of the Blind which, in turn, is a state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP:

A. The membership of the South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind shall be of two (2) types, Regular Members and Honorary Members:

1. Regular Member: Anyone who is at least 16 years of age may become a Regular Member of the South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind. Regular Members are required to pay annual membership dues of an amount and at such time as determined by a recommendation from the Executive Board of the Chapter and ratified by a two-thirds supporting vote of the membership present and voting, providing a quorum has been established. Regular Members may participate in all activities of the organization, and shall have the right to vote and to hold office.

2. Honorary Members: The Executive Board of the Chapter may establish, as it deems appropriate, Honorary Memberships. Honorary Members may participate in all activities of the organization and may pay dues as established by a recommendation from the Executive Board of the Chapter and ratified by a two-thirds supporting vote of the membership present and voting, providing there is a quorum. Honorary members shall not have the right to vote or hold office.

3. Blind individuals shall at all times constitute a majority of the voting membership of the South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind.

4. Expulsion of any member may be affected by a two- thirds majority of the voting members present, providing a quorum is established. Voting will be conducted by secret ballot after a proper hearing, first before the Executive Board of the Chapter and then before a quorum of the voting membership.

ARTICLE V - OFFICES AND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

A. The offices of the South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind shall be:

1. President

2. Vice President

3. Secretary

4. Treasurer

B. The President and Vice President must be legally blind or visually impaired.

C. Terms of office shall be for two years. No person may hold the same office for more than two (2) full consecutive terms, except for the offices of secretary and treasurer. All officers must be members in good standing of the organization throughout their terms of office.

D. Should a vacancy occur in any officer position, except for the office of President or Vice President, the Executive Board may elect an individual to serve in the position for The remainder of that officer's term. If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice President shall serve as the President for the remaining term and until the next regular election of officers. The vacated position of Vice President shall be filled by a special election at the next regular meeting of the membership. Such an election shall be conducted as provided for else where in this document.

E. The Executive Board of the Chapter shall be made up of the chapter's officers: the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

F. The Executive Board is the governing body of this organization between regular meetings of the Chapter. The Executive Board may adopt resolutions and take action on behalf of the organization. The Board may take no action that is contrary to the decided policy of the Chapter's Regular membership. A report of all actions taken by the Board must be recorded in writing and read at the next regular meeting of the membership.

G. No member of the Executive Board shall receive compensation for services to the South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind or the Kentucky Council of the Blind. Board members may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the exercise of the duties of their offices.

ARTICLE VI - REGULAR, SPECIAL MEETINGS AND QUORUMS

A. Regular meetings shall be held at a time and place designated by the chapter's President. Regular meetings shall be no more frequent than once per month, but at least once per quarter or every three months.

B. Special meetings shall be call from time to time as deemed necessary by either the chapter's President, the Executive Board, or a majority of the voting members.

C. Notice of all regular and special meetings shall be communicated to the membership not less than five (5) days prior to the meeting. Communications may be accomplished either by or any combination of: telephone, postal mail, or e-mail. It shall be the Secretary's responsibility to notify the chapter's members of such meetings.

D. Quorums:

1. One-third of the total voting membership shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at a regular or special meeting of the chapter.

2. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at a meeting of the Board.

ARTICLE VII - ELECTIONS:

A. Elections of the Chapter's officers shall be held annually, or as needed, on or about the anniversary date of the Chapter's inception, September 4.

B. All elections are open for nomination of candidates from the floor. Candidates must either be present at the time of the election, or must otherwise indicate their willingness to serve in the office to which they are being nominated.

C. Election for any office for which two or more candidates are nominated must be conducted by secret ballot.

ARTICLE VIII - PROCEDURES:

A. All matters of business shall be conducted according to the most recent revision of Robert's Rules of Order, except here otherwise provided for in this Constitution or unless suspension of which is accepted by a majority vote of the members attending the meeting.

ARTICLE IX: COMMITTEES:

The President or the Executive Board may create committees as deemed necessary to accomplish the tasks of the Chapter.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS:

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Regular Members present, providing a quorum is established, and at any two consecutive regular meetings of the Chapter's membership, provided that both the original and amending language, together with the name of the submitter and the recommendation of the Executive Board has been published to the membership in writing not less than five (5) days prior to the initial meeting in which such changes are to be considered, and further provided that both the original and amending language is read in its entirety on the floor of each of the Regular meetings at the time of its consideration.